Enjoying Your 'Bouncy Days'

If you’ve been wondering why you’ve not seen my column in past weeks, it’s because my husband and I took a trip to Sun City, Ariz., to spend several weeks with his brother. We went on several day trips out through the desert. I thoroughly enjoyed attending a concert that was a tribute to the Carpenters. And I attended an art show, where I left owning a painting of pansies that had caught my fancy.

Eating out at so many different places was fun, as were the evenings we played cards or just worked on assembling a jigsaw puzzle.

On the flight home, I took a deep breath and gave thanks for the blessing of family and friends and a very enjoyable break from having tests and seeing doctors.

Getting away for a while is good and helps to rejuvenate a person.

Recently, one of my grandsons was walking back to my home with me. He was half-walking, half-skipping. Turning around and giving me a big smile he said, “Grandma, today is a bouncy day.” The uninhibited joy he was showing and his comment made me smile.

Last week, as I left an appointment I’d had with the oncologist, I felt like I was having a bouncy day. The test I’d had prior to the appointment showed a big drop in the numbers I was most concerned with, indicating the new medicines I’ve been taking since January are doing what they are supposed to do ... get rid of my cancer. And he said I didn’t have to come back to see him for two months. Up until that day I’d seen him every month. I was so happy I would have skipped had I been able to.

Added to that good news was hearing the orthopedic surgeon who performed my hip replacement say everything looked good and he’d see me in a year.

The past six years have definitely been filled with ups and downs. But because of all the great support from family, friends, and doctors, I’ve been able to have a lot of bouncy days.

I hope that whoever and wherever you are and no matter what you are facing, you are able to enjoy many bouncy days.